Thousands rally in Malaysia for polls reform

Supporters during a rally in Kuala Lumpur on June 22, 2013 to protest against the results of the country's 13th general election. About 20,000 Malaysian opposition supporters gathered in the capital demanding the resignation of the country's Election Commission in the wake of contentious polls.
(AFP)

Supporters shout slogans along a street during a rally in Kuala Lumpur, June 22, 2013. The opposition says voter rolls for May's elections were full of irregularities. Supposedly indelible ink introduced by the Election Commission to prevent multiple voting also easily washed off.
(AFP)

The government, led by Prime Minister Najib Razak, has rejected charges of cheating. Ruling party figures accuse Anwar of risking instability out of sour grapes over the election result.

Parliament opens Monday and the opposition has said it will not boycott.

The opposition says voter rolls for May's elections were full of irregularities. Supposedly indelible ink introduced by the Election Commission to prevent multiple voting also easily washed off.

Barisan developed Malaysia's economy over the decades but many analysts say the country is losing its competitive edge. The opposition has blamed corruption and repressive tactics by Barisan, and pledged to free up society and improve governance.

The opposition says the Barisan-constructed electoral system unfairly favours the ruling bloc.

Anwar points to the May 5 polls -- in which the opposition won the popular vote, but Barisan won more seats thanks to the layout of constituencies -- as proof.